Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Chili and Chat wrap
I was certain, when Derek Brigham invited me to Chili and Chat to replicate the Final Word live, that he had said since we were both vegetarians we would not go hungry. Well that was true ... if you can eat mounds and mounds of cole slaw. (I cannot.)
Aside that, this was a great event. Rep. Tom Emmer is a passionate, humorous, and knowledgeable interview. Which is what we did, since if we had him on the Final Word that's what we would have done on-air. (We had him on once just for ten minutes to talk about Swansongate.) While he reviewed the session in a way readers of this blog (or Michael's) would be familiar, we also talked about the next year and here he had two things important to say:
Let me suggest that SD45 Republicans have found a good way to get people out. Even with other events nearby and a spectacular evening for walking outside, I counted over fifty people in attendance at the event, on a Tuesday night on an off-year of the cycle. Other BPOUs take note, and start getting your people together. I'll come, but next time, somebody brings the vegetarian chili.
Aside that, this was a great event. Rep. Tom Emmer is a passionate, humorous, and knowledgeable interview. Which is what we did, since if we had him on the Final Word that's what we would have done on-air. (We had him on once just for ten minutes to talk about Swansongate.) While he reviewed the session in a way readers of this blog (or Michael's) would be familiar, we also talked about the next year and here he had two things important to say:
- the bonding bill, which the DFL whiffed on this time by larding it up to the point that it was an easy veto target, represents the first chance the new majority has to pay off its supporters. One billion will hardly satisfy them, he said; we may need a contest to pick the number closest to their order at the take-out(-of-our-wallets) window.
- education got very little out of the last session, and will want some real fixing next period in return for their, um, investment. The Republicans, Emmer said, were steadfast in their arguments that more money comes with accountability attached. My observation: It will be interesting to see how the GOP caucus hangs together on this issue.
Let me suggest that SD45 Republicans have found a good way to get people out. Even with other events nearby and a spectacular evening for walking outside, I counted over fifty people in attendance at the event, on a Tuesday night on an off-year of the cycle. Other BPOUs take note, and start getting your people together. I'll come, but next time, somebody brings the vegetarian chili.
Labels: Emmer, legislature, Minnesota, politics
